The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-07
DECLARED NOT A BREACH
GLADSTONE'S MOTION LOST BY A
VOTE OF 317 TO ass.

Parnellite Laugh by Proposing
Royal Commission to Inquire Into
All of the Charges Against the Irish
Members-Sif Henry James Prom
iseS Fair Play in Law Court.
LONDON, May Cit is stated that Mr..
Parnell has consented to include the Times
letter among the other charges to be con-
sidered in committee.
George Price Conservative, resuming the
debate in the House of Commons this even
ingson Mr.. Gladstones motion to appoint
committee to inquire into the Times charges
against Mr. Dillon, suggested, amid derisive
Parnellite laughter, that royal commission
be appointed to inquire into all of the
charges against the Parnellites He said he
made the suggestion on his own RESPONSE
bihty. He asked the Irish members on this
day above all Others, the anniversary Of the
Phoenix Park MURDERS not to throw any
obstacle in the way of an impartial inquiry.
FAIR TRIAL PROMISED.
Sir Henry James regretted that response
bic speakers among the Liberals had as
serted that the administration of Justice in
England was defective, and that it was i'm
on the issues involved in this controversy.
He asked what single instance could be
given to prove this scandalouS assertion.
He defed Sir Charles Russell to
point out a single case in support
of such a statement. If the English COM
mitteemen were just, why not jurymen in
law court. If the proposal of the opposi-
tion should be carried out it would imply
that member of the House who had been
attacked in q newspaper need only come
before the House and demand that the pub
Usher be convicted of breach of privilege.
If the members had any regard for their
reputation the courts of law were open to
assist them to vindicate their character and
punish the lbelous offender
ERIN NOT BEGGING FAvoRs.
Mr.. Healy said that every possible ques-
ton seemed worthy of inquiry by the
House except a question elfecting the char
acter of its members. The Parnellites did
not care whether they got this inquiry or not.
The Parnellites challenged the Tories to
combat once on this question; they would
stand upon no technical references, but
would meet any charges brought against
them. From the discussion of the majority
of the House the Parneilites would appeal to
the people outside The Irish people never
sent them there to beg favor, but to de
mand rights. In spite of all obstacles they
would, in time, obtain their rights.
Mai Saundel'son said he did not wonder
that Mr.. Gladstone tried to whitewash his
Irish friends who were now supplying his
policy. Why, he asked, should the House
appoint a committee to inquire into charges
sustained by such proof as the Times
offered! He challenged Mr.-Dillon to dis
prove the Times evidence.
THROUGH EXCHANGING EPITHETs.
Mr.. Dillon-I have offered to enter into
~ -I,o1l
longer exchange the lies with members of
the House over them.
Mr. Saunderson said a committee limited
in the way Mr.. Gladstone proposed could
only deal with one charge, and its decision
would be practically worthless upon a gen
eral accusation. The only way to obtain
full inquiry was trial in court embracing
all the charges. [Hear1
Mr.. Henry Fowler, member for East
Wolverhampton, said he must decline to be-
lieve that English juries were infalible.
He reminded the House as typical instance
of the gross injustice done Lord Cochran.
Was special jury drawn from
London traders, he asked, better
qualified to deal with the question
than a committee OF members of the House9
The Parnellites did not desire to limit the
inquiry He had a telegram from Mr.. Par
nell saying that he was quite willing to
stand an inquiry so as to include the forged
letter in the Times.
Mr.. Gladstone's motion was rejected by a
vote of 317 to 233, and Sir Edward Clark's
motion that the house decline to treat the
publication as a breach of privilege was
agreed to.
GoSCHEN DEFENDS SMITH.
Mr. Goschen warmly defended Mr.. Smith
against the attack of the Parnellites. He
expressed regret that Mr.. Gladstone had
FOL fl,ac Of.
indulged in. While Mr. Goschen was
speaking Mr.. Gladstone entered the House.
Mr. Goschen, continuing, said he doubted
if there was any precedent analogous to the
present case Those quoted were cases in
which there had been no other way open to
the persons aggrieved. The accu-
sation that the government was
Indifferent to the honor of the House
was undeserved They ought not to hastily
hamper the freedom of the press. If the
House took charge of its members the
House would need permanent committees
for this purpose. The Times, he continued
might consider itself slandered by the Par
nellites The proper tribunal to decide was
a court of law. Mr.. Gladstone in this case
appeared to be disposed to appeal to the
classes in preference to the masses
NO PARALLEL IN THE CASES.
Mr.. Dillon denied that there was any par
of United Ireland. The Times had made
charges for years, but he had not thought il
his duty to repudiate them until they had
been repeated in Parliament. He was act
ing solely in the interest of the House. He
did not care for his own reputation except
in his own country, where it was unassail-
able. They were willing that the committee
should inquire into any definite charge
which the Tilaes had made Further, they
believed that they could find clues which
would lead to the forger of the letters.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he
was sure the country would regard Mr.. Dill
Ions appeal as a serious matter. lie main
tanned that experience had showed the
futility of political prosecution.
Mr. Smith said the government had the
strongest desire for an impartial inquiry
under the authority Of the House, but they
were prepared 10 resist reference of the
matter TO committee of partisans.
Mr. Morley, ON behalf of Mr.. Gladstone,
said the Liberals fully accepted the extern
sion of the inquiry which Mr.. Dillon had
suggested. [Parnellite cheers.
Mr.. Parnell is expected to be present in
the House ON Monday
CLoTuRE TO BE APPLIED.
II is stated that the government, in order
to hasten the progress of the crimes bill, in
tends TO apply the cloture rule in the House
after q very brief discussion, except in case